City, tribe eye water agreement

Thursday

Jan 24, 2013 at 3:00 PM

By Scott Brand

The City of Sault Ste. Marie appears well on its way to expanding its base of water customers with a proposed agreement currently under consideration with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians to deliver services to the Odenaang Development well south of the city limit boundary.

City Manager Spencer Nebel explained the agreement was not ready for approval at the commission’s last session, but he was presenting the information to see if there were any issues or concerns that could be addressed before the commission takes up this measure. As of this morning, Nebel indicated the agreement could be ready for formal consideration as early as the Feb. 4 session.

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Under the proposed agreement, the city would essentially take ownership of a fully-constructed water main going from Three Mile Road along Seymour to the Sault Tribe’s housing development. The city would not incur any costs, as the project is being primarily funded by the federal government on behalf of the Sault Tribe. Once completed, as Nebel explained, the city would take ownership of all the infrastructure between Three Mile and the Odenaang Development.

“It’s a good mutual agreement,” said Nebel of the document currently under consideration.

The Sault Tribe will benefit from having a reliable water source able to supply their current and projected structures, while the City will be able to add up to 94 single family dwellings, 89 multi-family units and perhaps even school, office and retail customers.

“There is lots of capacity to service this area,” said Nebel, explaining the city would not have to expand its current facility to supply water to the larger customer base.

The additional customers will also benefit current water users within the city as they would be responsible for a portion of the fixed debt associated with already-completed infrastructure.

While the water main would be under the city’s control out to the Odenaang Development, the Sault Tribe would be responsible for all connecting lines within the complex.

Both the Sault Tribe and the City of Sault Ste. Marie will have to officially approve the agreement before the project can move forward. The Soo Township Board must also sign off to allow for this development in their jurisdiction.

Nebel said the current timeline calls for the project to begin once the snow and frost have departed and work should continue throughout the summer months if all of the potential hurdles are cleared.